University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 4

Dear Friends, “We are all implicated when we allow other people to be mistreated. An absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation. Fear and anger can make us vindictive and abusive, unjust and unfair, until we all suffer from the absence of mercy and we condemn ourselves as much as we victimize others.” — Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy Facebook.com/UWMadLibraries twitter.com/UWMadLibraries Instagram.com/uwmadlibraries 4 | LIBRARIES Fall 2016 Libraries are dedicated to the principles and practices of social justice, diversity, and equality among our staff, collections, and services. In an effort to further opportunities for education, benefit the good of the public, and inform citizens, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries commit ourselves to doing our part to end the many forms of discrimination that plague our society. We affirm our commitment to support students, faculty, and staff as they work to make the Libraries and the University a welcoming and inclusive community. In coordination with campus efforts, the Libraries are moving forward with the approved recommendations for action that were developed as part of the UW–Madison General Library System’s Diversity Task Force Recommendations Report, November 2, 2015. The task force recommendations include: to look for ways to eliminate undue hardship for the patrons who use our collections (print and electronic), services, and facilities. We are aware of the challenges presented by racial hate and bias incidents that have occurred on this and other campuses and through social media. All of us are harmed by these incidents. We know we have work to do. We must move beyond the platitudes. We will continue to work to ensure we provide welcoming and inclusive surroundings for all who wish to take advantage of our spaces and services. Actions meant to hurt, alienate, or divide this community will not be tolerated. We also strive to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive work place. The library staff at UW–Madison will continue to work with each other, as well as campus partners, to encourage practices that 1. Create an Equity & Diversity promote education, equality, diversity, and Committee social justice. It’s important not only that the 2. Establish what the “inclusiveness” UW–Madison Libraries provide a welcoming core principle of the General Library environment for patrons, but also that our